Machine for cutting headings.



No. 816,923. PATENTED APR. 3, 1906 W. A. LATHROP.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HEADINGS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1903.

s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Flnveufoz PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1903.

KSHEETS-SHEET 2.

wihwoaeo atfomwt N0. 816,923. PATBNTED APR. 3, 1906. W. A. LATHROP.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HEADINGS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31, 1903.

B SHBETS-8HBBT 3.

3111mm for witnesses lNo..8-16,92 3. PATENTED AP R[3,1906.

w. A. LATHROP'.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING READINGS. APPLIOATION FILED Atmjsl, 190s.

' B SHEETB-BHEBT 4 No. 816,923. I V PATENTED APR. .3, 1966.

W. A. LATHROP.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING HEADINGS.

APPLIOAQTION IILBD' AUG. a1. 1903.

No. 816,923. PATENTED APR. 3, 1906. W. A. LATHROP.

.-MAGHINE FOR CUTTING HEADINGS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. a1. 1903.

6 SHBBT-BHEET 6.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

- WILLIAM ARTHUR timer, OI YWILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

' MACHINE Foacu'r'rme I-DIEADINGS- Na s'i ease To all whom it ma /y concern: Be it known that I, WILLIAM ARTHUR LA- Tn'aor, of Wilkes-Barre, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Machines for Cutting Headings and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had'to the accompanying drawings, in whichi Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. sectional view of the same. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the frame upon which the operatingparts are mounted, the parts for cutting and conveying coal being omitted. Fig. 6 is a side view of. another embodiment of my invention. Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical sectional views of another embodiment of my invention, showing, res ectively, the coal-cutting parts carried byt e swingframe and the shield carried by such frame. Fig 9 is a sectional view of the parts shown in ig. 7, the section being taken ona plane P6 section of the cutting-chain.

The object-of my invention has been to provide a machine which while adapted for other uses is specially adapted for driving or cutting headings in mines, and particularly in mines of bituminous coal and to such ends my invention consists in the machine for cutting headings, substantially as heremafter specified. I

In carrying my invention into practlce I .provide a frame A, that is supported upon wheels or skids and upon which frame the various parts of my machine are mounted. The said' frame preferably consists of side beams a, that are connected by suitable braces; The side beams are provided with suitable brackets a, for recelving' bearingboxes-a, and the latter receive and are supported upon axles B, thesaid axles having fixed upon them and being supported by wheels C or skids, if preferred. The front boxes are situated at a point somewhat back of the forward ends of the side beams a for a reason hereinafter stated, andthe rear axleboxes are mounted in their brackets so as to be capable of vertical movement in the same,

and screws a, resting upon the said axleboxes and engaging threaded holes in the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 31,1908. Serial No. 171,437.

Fig. 3 is a vertical crossendiciilar to that of the section in the sai figure; and Fig. 10 is a detail view of a Patented April 3, 1906.

frame A and locked by nuts a upon theside beams a, are rovided, so that the frame can be raised an lowered upon the rear axle to raise or lower the forward ends of the side beams a, for reasons which will appear later. The wheels 0 may, if desired, be provided with circumferential ribs and grooves to prevent lateral slipping, and all of said wheels are placed upon the same sides of their respective side beams-as, for instanee,"all on the left side orall on the right side thereof- -the ends of the axles upon the side of the side beam 0., whose outer side is unobstructed by the wheels- B, being extended, so that the frame A can be moved laterally upon the axles without moving the wheels 0 laterally. The forward ends of the side beams a are provided with bearings, in which is mounted a shaft D. Such shaft' is extended laterally be-- yond the said side beams and upon said extended ends and at intermediate points, preferably e uidistant from each other, is provided wit sprocket-wheels E. A frame F, consisting, preferably, of side beams f, an intermediate brace f, and outer braces f, is

mounted to swing upon the shaft D, the said frame mm; preferably mounted with its side beams between and bearing a ainst the side beams a. of the main frame. he u per ends of the side beams f of the swinging frame are provided with bearings, in which is mounted, a shaft G parallel and similar to the shaft D. The shaft G ,is provided with sprocketwheels H, corresponding to, but preferably larger than, the sprocket -wheels E of the lower shaft and sprocket chains I ass around each pair of sprocket-wheels Eang H,

such sprocketchains being provided with The sprocketcutters K for cutting the coal. chains and cutters may be of any desired con-. struction. In order to keep the sprocketohains tight, the bearing-boxes of the upper shaft may be adjustable in the side beams f, and screws may be provided for effecting such adjustment. The cutters K preferably consist of pairs of teeth is, projectinglaterally beyond the limits of the sprocket-chains.

A shield L isv mounted upon the frame F, such shield extending beneath and sup orting the forward laps of the sprocket-clifains and being cut away for the sprocket-wheels to reach the sprocket-chains The said shield ispreferably rovided with a side guide or brace for eac sprocket-chain upon the side of the latter opposite that toward guide may take the form of an angle-iron l, astened to the shield. The chains are at intervals rovided with lateral wings i, which travel ose to the face of the shield and extend laterally at least as far as the cutters K. The win s 'i may also be cutters, if desired.

In or er to adjust the inclination of. the

I frame ,F and consequently the vertical height of the upper limit of the cutters travel, by:

draulic jacks M are pivoted to the side bars a "and their plungers are pivoted to the side 7 bars f of the frame F, the cylinders of the two jacks being connected with a single pump 11 may econnectedwiththe p' ipes running from the pumps to the jacks; he

.held plunger m constituting an accumulator, 2o

said spring will allow the plunger to yield upward and consequently will allow the frame to swing downward on striking an obstruction. It is obvious that screws or other means of adjustment may be substituted for the jacks.

The cutting-chains H maybe operated in any desired manner, .A convenient means for operating them 1s an electric motor N,

mounted u on the frame A and connected by a s rocket-c ain nwith a sprocketgear' n upon t e shaft D, the'sprocket-gear nbeing preferabl small enough to operate within the shiel so that the latter need not be cut awa to receive it. The shaft D is connected wit the shaft G, as bysprocket-wheels 'n and n over which runs a sprocket-chain n. The

sprocket-wheel n is preferabl of larger diameter than the sprocket-w eel n to mchains uponthe' lower sha loose, so that the chains are driven y the l .per shaft, and such upper shaft is preferably revolved in such direction as to pull the set "outerand' rear end of the chute P carries a crease the ower ap lied to the upper shaft. The sprocl r et whee s ca the cutterare referably chains upwardly over the shield, as this arraugement causes the tight laps of the chains to o the cuttings A ho per 0 preferably extends across the frame beneath the rearward ortions of the peripheries of the wheels H, and such ho er is provided with a shaft which may e 'ven from the motor-shaft and which is rovided'with two screw conveyers leading cm the outer limits of the hopper toward an intermediate oint, at whichpoint an opening is provided, so that the coal may fall into a chute P below the latter and containing screw conveyer-p, and that extends upwar and rearwardly to a considerable hei ht above the bottom of the gangway. he

double s out Q, which is pivoted, so that either en thereof can be. de' ressed, thus lpro- I viding for the discharge of t 6 coal carrie by cylindrical socket t, having within it a t upon which rests a hollow plunger 1?, whose a ly.

the conveyer into either of two mine-cars R behind the machine. In order to move the machinelaterally upon its axles, hydraulic jacks S, one or more, preferably two, are secured to each side. beam-a and all the jacks upon each side are connected, so that they may be operated in unison, if desired.

In order to hold the rear wheels upon the ground, the cutters having a tendencyto raise the rear end of the machine, uprights T are provided at the rear ends of the side .beams'a, and each of said uprightscarries a Spring u per end supportsa nut 25, and a threaded s ank t of a yoke engages said nut and extends through the said p unger, the yoke supporting one end of an axle t whose opposite end is sup orted in the opposite yoke and the said ax e is rovidedwith wheels it, one

each of the said yokes, the said wheels being adapted to rest against the roof'of the gangway, and thus to prevent the rear end of the frame A from -r1 The springs t permit the wheels any irregularities feed the cutters forward, a hydraulic jack c linder U is swiveled to the rear end of each side beam 0 or other convenient portion of the machine, and the jack-piston u is sharpened at its outer end to engage the wall of the gangway. The hydraulic jacks U are operated by pumps u. placed in the pipes of all the hydraulic jacks, so that the liquld pumped can be held or released, as desired.

In theoperation of my machine the machine is placed with its chains opposite the head of'the gangwa The frame F is adjusted to such an inc ination as will cause the u per limit of the travel of the cutters to be t atof the height desired for the gangway. The hydraulic acks atithe sides 0 chains -for instance, the left-hand one, as seen in Fig. 1-to operate a plane as far to the left as may benecessary to cut a clearance for the left-hand wheels C. The machine 15 then fed forward by means of the hydraulic jacks U, whose pointed pistons are causedto engage the walls .of the headin ters ave cut channels into t 'e head ofthe .gjangway as deep as the shield will permit:

uring this cutting operation the the cutting-chains carry the coal cut upwar wmgs on which is one or the other of the cars R, according as t to -'e d toaccommodate in t e roof. In order tov I the ma-. chine are operated to cause one ofthe outer until the cut- Valves are of course along the shield, the sides of the I channels in the coal serving to 'keep the coal I which has been cut in the field of operation and the coal thus carried up 0 enin ,throughwhich it alls Ti coal is then carried up through the chute? and is deposited into the spout Q is tiplped one way or the other. When the channe s have been cut as deeply as the shield will permit, the whole machine is moved bodily on the axles B by means of the hydraulic jacks S until the coal between position of the machine and the material between the channels removed by a. lateral movement, the reverse of that previously described. Thaheight of the heading out by the machine can be varied within wide limits by altering the inclination of the frame F.

The machine can be caused to curve the heading laterally by operating one of the hydraulic jacks U more t an the other, and the machine can be caused to curve theheading vertically upward or downward by raising or which the disk-carrying shafts arev supported,

the said frame beingadjusted by a screw G*, which can be operated to raise and depress the said frame, the said frame swinging u on a shaft H as a fulcrum; The shield r is keyed to the shaft upon which the cuttingdisks are mounted and revolves with the same, wings K bein mounted upon the said shield for carrying t e cut coal upward, the coal being discharged into a ho per similar 3, and being carried away by a screw conveyer K similar to the screw conveyer before described. As

illustrated in Figs. 7, 8,, and 9, the shield may be made to serve the pur ose of the lower sprocket-wheels, the shiel bein curved to support the lower bite of the sproc et-, chains,. and screw conveyors L ma be mounted within the shield beneath eac cutting-chain to carry upward the coal cut, the latter-falling through openings K in the shield t'o reach the-conveyer or flight con'veyers, or other form of conveyers maybe similarly mounted.

It is obvious that various changes can be made in the above-illustrated construction without departure from the sirit .of my invention. For instance, the c ains could be caused to cut so that the channelsfornied would be horizontal or they could be caused to cut so that the channels formed are inclined to the horizontal or the motion ma be such that the chains are causedto out wit a downward pull. A rotary cuttercould be substituted for'the chains, so that instead of cutting achannel a cut circular in side elevation would be. formed, and the desired width of the heading could be obtained-.by moving said cutter laterally.

Having thus described my invention, what 1. In a machine for cutting headings, the 7b combination of a cutter adaptedto cut'a channel transverse to the machine, which channel shall be aslong as the correspon transverse dimension of the machine, an means for movin said cutter laterally to 7' widen said channe r 2. In a machine for cutting headingsfthe combination of a cutter, means-for causing said cutter to cut a channehas long as the transverse dimension of the machine in the direction of the channel, and means for moving said cutter laterally to widen the channel.

3. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of .a cutter, means for causing said cutter to cut a channel as long as the transverse dimension of the machine in the direction of the channel, and means for moving said. cutter laterally throughout. the length of said channel to widen the same.

4. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a cutter, means for causing said cutter to cut a vertical channel equal in length to the height of the heading, and means for mo said cutter laterally throughout the length of said channel to widen 9 5 the same. 7

5. In a machine for cutting headings, the combinationof a series of cutters, means for causing said cutters to cutchannels as lon as the corresponding transverse dimension 0 [00 the machine, forward of the framework of themachine, and means for moving said cutters laterall to remove the material between said channels.

6. In a machine for cutting headin s, the 10 5 combination of su ports, cutting evices mounted on and a apted tocut forward of said su ports, for a distance equal to the correspon ing transverse dimension of the machine, and means for shifting said cutting de-' 1 1 o vices bodily on said supports in a direction transverseto the direction of'motion of said cutting devices. a V v a 7. In a machine for cuttingheadings, the

causing said cutters to cut arallel channels as long as the dimension of the machine'in the direction of the channels, and means for moving said cutters laterally throughout the length of said channels to widen the same.

'8. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination'of a series of cutters, means for causing said cutters to cut vertical channels equal in la th to the height of the heading, and means or movin said cutterslaterally throughout the lengt of said channels to widen the same. y

Q. In a machine for cutting headings,.the combination of aseries'of cutters adapted to cut parallel groovesforward of the framework of said machine, and means for moving said cutters laterally a distance equaltothe distance between twoadjaoent groovesl 10. In a machine for cutting headings, the

11. In a machine or cutting headings, the

combination of a series of cutters adapted to cut equidistant arallel grooves from the top to the bottom 'the'heading, and means for moving said cutters laterally a distance equal to the distance between two adjacent grooves. p 12. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a series of cutt' chains forward of the framework of sa1d machine,

means for causing said chains to cut arallel.

channels, and means for moving sai chains laterally in said channelsto remove the material between the latter.

13. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a pair of parallel shafts, sprocket-wheels on the ends of said shafts and at intermediate points thereon, sprocketchains passing over the said wheels and carrying cutters, means for driving said wheels, and means for moving nally of themselves.

14. In a machine for cutting headings, the

combination of a frame, cutters mounted on said frame, and means for advancing saidv frame in the heading at various angles to the direction of such heading, whereby headings of various dimensions may be cut with the same frame.

15. In a machine for cuttin headings, the combination of, a body, a

' thereto, cutters mounted on said pivoted frame, and means for yieldingl maintaining .said pivotedframe at a desire elevation.

headings, the

16. In a machine for cutt' combination of a body, a ame pivoted ghereto, (gutters nfiounteld1 0111 said pivoted ame, an means or ie maintaining said pivoted frame ali'a c ll a il ed elevation, said means consisting of a hydraulic jack having an accumulator in connection therewith.

17. In a machine for cuttingheadin s, the combination of a frame provided wit cut-. ters from one end to the other thereof, said cutters being exposed for cutting throughout the length of said frame and means'for advancing said frame in the hea at various angles to thedirection of such hea ,whereby headings of various dimensions may be cut with the same frame.

18. In amachine for cutting headings, the combination of supports for such machine, a s frame, s of said frame, sprocket-wheels carried by said shafts, cuttlng -chains carried by said sprocket-wheels, said cutting-chains being combination of a s said shafts longitudiame pivoted afts carried in the ends slaes exposed for cutting throughout the length I said frame and means for moving said artsexcept said supports, longitudinally o sai shafts V 19. In a machine for cutting headings, the

' frame, shafts carfra'me, sprocket-.

Chains ried in the ends of sai wheels carried by said shafts, cutt' carried by said sprocket-wheels, an means foi' moving said shafts longitudinally of themse ves.

4 20. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a wheeled frame, a frame pivoted to the forward ,end of said first-mentioned frame, shafts carried by the upper and lower ends of said frame and extending laterally beyond the limits of said first-mentioned frame,'and cutting-chains passing about said i I shafts. V s x i.

21. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a'wheeled frame, a frame pivoted to the forward end of said first-mentioned frame, shafts carried by the up er and lower ends of said frame and extending laterally beyond the limits of said first mentioned frame," cutting chains passing about said shafts, and means for mo said frames in a direction substaritiallypara el to said shafts.

. 22.. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a car-body, means for shifting said car-body laterally upon its axles, a frame pivoted tofth'e forward end of said carbody, means for raising and lowering said pivotedframe, shafts, carried bythe u .per and lower ends of said frame, sprocket-w eels on said shafts, and sprocket-chains carried by said wheels, .said chains being provided with cutters.

23. In a machine for cutting headings, the' P allel side beams, axles supporting sai side combination of a car-bo I y comprisingl I do beams, wheels on said axles adjacent .to said 7 side bealfi's, all of said wheels being upon the same relative side of their respective side beams, means for moving said car-body laterally upon said axles, said axles extending beyond said frameinthe direction of the sides of said side beams o posite tov said wheels, a

frame pivoted to t forward ends of said side beams, shafts carried by'said frame, sprocket-wheels upon the outer ends of said s afts and at intermediate oints thereon cutters carried by said spree et-chains, and means for raising and lowering said pivoted frame. f r 24. ha machine for cutting headings, the combination of a series of parallel cutters, a shield between but back of the extreme ran e of said cutters, and means for mo said cutters in the direction of'theirreac and laterally thereof. i f 25. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a car-body'comprisf allel side beams, axles supporting s diz i side beams, wheels on said axles adjaeerit to said side beams, and said wheels being upon the same relatlve side of their respective side nbeams', means for moving said car-body lat-' beams and ha ward theside wails of the headin said axles fe'edof the cutters in cutting the said, chan-- 'nels, and means for feeding said cutters in;

extendin beyond said frame in t e direction of thesi es of' said side beams opposite to said wheels, a frame pivotedto the :forward ends of said side beams, shafts carried by said frame',l'sprocket-wheelsupon the outer endsof said shafts and at intermediate points thereon, cutters carried by "said s rocketchains, andm'eans for raising and owering said pivoted frame.

26. In a machine forcutting headings, the combination of a series ofcutters adapted to cut, channels, a shield between said'cutters, and extending transversely to the direction of the direction of the plane of the shield, whereby the shieldmay be in contact with the unfeed. v

27 In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a series of cutters adapted to cut channels, a shield between said cutters and extending transversely to the direction of feed of the cutters in cutting the said chan nels, means for feeding said cutters in the di- I rectlon of the lane of theshield, whereby the shield may e in contact with the uncut surface of the heading during said lateral feed, and on sai chain to carry away the cut material. Y

2 8. Ina machine. for cutting headings, the

combination of a series of cutters adapted to cut channels, a shield between said cutters, and wings adapted to engage the material .cut by said cutters and confined by said shield, and to convey said material away;-

29. Ina machine for cutting headings, the combination of a car-body having a frame "pivoted at the forward end thereof, upper and lower shafts carriad y said frame, said shafts having sprocket wheels, sprocketchains passing over said sprocket-wheels, said sprocket-chains havin lateral wings or cutters, and a shield beneat and supporting said sprocket-chains.

' 30. In a machine for cutting headings, the

' tion, a shield beneath said chains, wings on cut surface of the'heading during said lateral said chains, whereby the coal that is cut is carried upward, a hopper to receive the coal carried up by said wings, said hopper having oppositely-feeding conveyers' therein to convey the coal to a central point, and a conveyer directed upwardly and rearwardly that is adapted to receive said coal.

32. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a carbody, s rocket-chains at the forward end of said bo y, said chains moving upward during the cutting operation,

a shield beneath said chains wings-on said chains, whereby the coal that is cut is-carried upward, a hopper to receive the coal carried up by said wings, said hop er having oppo- 'sitely feeding conveyors tl ierein to convey the coal to a central point, and a conveyer to receive the coal at'sfich point and directed upwardly and rearwardly to deposit the coal ina car, said conveyer being provided with a pivoted spout. I T e 33. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a car-body, s rocket-chains at the forward end of said bod said chains moving upward during the cutting operation, a shield beneath said chains, wingsonsaid chains, whereby the coal that is cut is carried upward, a hopper to receive the coal carried up by said Wings, said hopper having opp'ositely-feeding conveyors therein to con- ,vey the coal to a central point, anda conveyer to receive the coal at such point and directed upwardly and rearwardly to deposit the coal in a car, said conveyer being provided with a pivoted spout, having two op-,

posite discharge o enings, whereby the coalcan be discharged into either of two cars that are beside each other.

34'. In a machine for cutting headings, the

combinationof a car-body, cutters mounted upon the forwardend of said car-body, and yielding means carried by the rearward end heading and prevent said end from being "raised. 4

35. In a machine for cuttingheadings, the

combination of a car-body, u ward] -mov-' ingcuttersmounted u on the orwar end of sald car-bod ,\and yie the rearward end of said car-body to engage the roof of'the heading and revent said rearward'end from being raise 36. In a machine for cutting headin combination of a car;- body provide with cutting mechanism at its forward end,whee1s rearward of said cutt mechanism, but near the forward end of t e machine, wheels of said car-body to. engage the roof of the ding means carried by s, the

at the rearward end of the machine, means for raising and lowering said car-body u said last mentioned wheels and yiel means carried by said car-body to engage the roof of theheading and revent said rearward end from being raised y the action of the cutt mechanism.

I 37. n a machine for cutting headings, the

I comhidation of acar-bod a cutter atrearward oi the e "means eadmg,

the forward end thereo 12"? engaging the o posite wal on the separate prope g means carried by the rear end of the car-body, and means for independently operating each of said separate meansfor pr oe g. .4 38. 1% a machine for cutting headings,-the combination of a car-body having wheels at its forward and rear ends, cutters mounted upon the forward end of said car bO'dy, the 1 'forward wheels of the car-body being located cutters, and yielding means carried by the rearward end .of said car-body to enga e the roof-of the heading and prevent said en from beingraised.

- combination of a car-body having wheelsat its forward and rear ends, cutters mounted upon the forward end of said oar-body, the forward wheels of the car body being located rearward of the cutters, and yielding means carried by the rearward end of said car-body -to engage the roof of the heading and prevent Said. raised,

'- means consisting of wheels on a spring-supported axle.-

' 40, In a machine for cutting'headings, the

' combination of a car-body, h'a a cutter at the forward end thereof, means or rotating 7 said cutter and'profpel v such the opposite walls 0 u m being capable of actuation means engagingeading, said pro-f j senarately from each other, whereby the ma v chine may be made to change its direction of 412'; n a'machin'e for cutting: headings, thecombination of a car-body having a cutter at llin means en aging the opposite wa s of his h%adi,n' sudll means consistin of hydraulic jac adapted to engage'the said walls.

a 42. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a car-body having acutter at the forward end thereof, of h draulicjacks swiveled at the rear end of suc body, one on eachside thereof, said j ackshaving'sharpened plungers that are adapted to engage the walls 39. In a machine for cutting headingdthe of the heading. I v r 1 43. In a machine for cutting headings, the combination of a carbody having a cutter at the forward end thereoi, means for rotating said cutter, and propelIi-n means engaging vthe opposite walls ofsuch eadin said propelling means he" .ca able actuation separately'fromeac voter, and se arately fromsaid means'for rotatingsai cutter, whereby the machine may-be made to change its direction'of'cuttin Q. a In testimony that claim the-ioregoing'l have-herennto set my hand." v

. WILLIAM reruns LATBBQP.

Witnesses: v

HARRIET E. La'rmtori the forward end thereof, and separate ro'-- having plnngers w 'ch are p 

